Mandeep pursed his lips and leaned forward. “Do you know the different types of Lore Keepers, Barclay?”
In Dullshire, there was only one type of Lore Keeper: the unwanted kind. After meeting Tadg and then Soren, the only Lore Keeper who had proven a better sort was Viola.
Rather than saying that, Barclay politely shook his head.
“There are Lore Keepers who gather Beasts to brew potions, enchantments, and the like. Apothecaries, we call them. Like Floriane.” Floriane smiled brightly. “There are Surveyors, Lore Keepers who save Beasts from extinction or who search for new Beasts, never seen before. Like Athna.” The older woman gave no indication of hearing her name and only finished her stein of beer. “There are Lore Keepers who study the magic of Lore itself, like me. A Scholar.”
He straightened proudly.
“And as a Scholar, I can tell you, there is no way to remove a Beast Mark that wouldn’t kill you.”
Barclay felt all his dreams wither into dust. He managed to nod like he understood, even though he did not. He didn’t understand how something so unlucky could happen to him. He didn’t understand how the people he grew up with had so easily cast him out. He didn’t understand why the world had to be unfair.
“But Ineedto go home,” he said, quickly molding his hopelessness into determination. “I traveled all the way here. I ran from a giant worm. A man even attacked me to try to steal my Beast. There has to be a way!”
Mandeep’s eyes widened. “Who attacked you?”
“Soren Reiker.”
The three of them exchanged dark looks.
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid there isn’t much we can do about it,” Mandeep told him. “Soren is very popular here, and he’s close friends with the High Keeper. He could strip us of our Guild licenses if we tried to stop him. It’s not fair, but that’s how it is here.”
Viola had already told Barclay as much, but he still couldn’t help but feel a mixture of shock and disappointment.
Floriane cleared her throat. “Don’t listen to Mandeep about your Mark. He just likes knowing things, whether or not he’s right.”
“Then who wouldyousuggest to the boy, who wouldknow better than me how to remove it?” Mandeep asked with annoyance.
“Runa Rasgar,” Athna said. Her voice was surprisingly steady for all her beers, though she did let out a loud belch.
“Who is that?” Barclay asked hopefully.
“The Fang of Dusk,” Floriane explained. “She’s a Guardian, a Lore Keeper who specializes in protecting the people of both the Wilderlands and the Elsewheres. Using enchantments to keep Beasts within the places where they should be, like the Woods.”
Barclay didn’t realize any Lore Keepers did things like that. Then he recognized the nickname. Tadg and the other would-be apprentices had mentioned her earlier that day. The Fang of Dusk was famous. And important.
“How do I talk to her?” Barclay asked.
“She’s right over there.” Floriane nodded toward the fireplace, to the woman sitting silently beside the High Keeper.
“But she’s with the High Keeper,” Barclay said uncertainly. She could be as bad as Soren.
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Mandeep told him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so unhappy to be a guest of honor. Erhart hasn’t left her side all day, trying to show her off to all the visitors and giving her a grand tour. I bet his nap is the first peace she’s had since she got here.”
“Well, we can’t just go over and talk to her,” Viola hissed.
“Why not?” asked Barclay. “I thought your father was important. You can talk to anyone.”
Mandeep gave him a faint smile. “I’m afraidweare anyone. Runa Rasgar is not.”
“She’s frightening,” Floriane said.
“She’s respected,” Mandeep countered.
“Then what are we?”
“Tolerated,” Athna muttered into her empty stein.
